Many Hands Made for Light Work at Portage Township’s Team Up 2 Clean Up Event

Team-Up-2-Clean-Up-2013Ninety-five volunteers participated in the Portage Township Team Up 2 Clean Up event on Saturday, April 20th. “We had returning groups, new groups, and community residents participate in this year’s event,” stated Joy Lundstrom, Superintendent of Portage Township Parks, “Its heart-warming to see the commitment and pride all these groups have for their neighborhood parks.

Returning volunteer groups included Brownies Troop #30003, Boy Scout Pack #487, South Haven Boys & Girls Club, Portage High School JROTC, and employees from Bounce N Around. New volunteer groups represented were managers and employees from area Starbucks stores, St. Peter Lutheran Church Youth Group and their parents, and local community residents like Melody Palmer and friends.

Projects took place at Haven Hollow and Field of Dreams Parks in South Haven, as well as, the South Haven Volunteer Fire Department.

South Haven Boys & Girls Club members expanded the tree nursery they created last year with seedlings from Indiana DNR’s Tree program. The Starbucks crew assisted with the project which included staking new rows, planting, and mulching seedlings. Brownies Troop #30003 spruced up their four flower boxes at Field of Dreams Park and placed recycle bins at the park. The Portage High School JROTC picked up debris and fallen limbs at Field of Dreams Park, raked and leveled-out fiber mulch under playground equipment at Haven Hollow Park and gathered over 30lbs of recycle trash. (Photo attached).

St. Peter’s Youth group tidied the grounds at the South Haven Fire Department, toured the facility and mopped the fire house bay where fire trucks are parked. Boy Scout Pack # 487 donated four rain barrels to the Portage Township Parks Department that they received from donations from Indiana American Water Company and Recycle & Waste Reduction District of Porter County.

This is an amazing example displaying how the good works of a few groups can have such a positive impact in our Township Parks and our community,” stated Brendan Clancy, Portage Township Trustee, "We are very grateful for everyone’s participation and support.

To learn more about these projects, the Portage Township Department of Parks and Recreation or how you can be involved, contact Portage Township Parks Department at 219.762.1623 x31.